The Indianapolis Colts (2-2) have a crucial matchup ahead as they visit the Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4) at TIAA Bank Field on Sunday.
The Week 5 matchup will have plenty of storylines, including the fact that the Colts have not won in Duval County since the 2014 season.
On top of that, the Colts will likely be without starting quarterback Anthony Richardson, who was downgraded to doubtful with an oblique injury on Saturday.
This means the Colts will turn to Joe Flacco, who finished as the QB15 in standard scoring after coming on in relief of Richardson in Week 4 against the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Meanwhile, slot receiver Josh Downs had a strong outing after Flacco came on in relief, and more could be on the way with a favorable matchup against the Jaguars.
With that favorable matchup coming up against a struggling Jaguars defense, we're diving into the start/sit advice for Flacco and Downs right here.
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Joe Flacco
It wasn't clear what quarterback situation for the Colts was going to look like entering the week, but Saturday's roster moves offered more clarity. The Colts downgraded Richardson's status from questionable to doubtful, meaning Flacco is in line to start.
With bye weeks starting up, Flacco has a chance to enter fantasy lineups. He was 16-of-26 passing for 168 yards, two touchdowns and a 105.9 passer rating when he came in relief of Richardson in the Week 4 win over the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Now, he gets a fantastic matchup against a Jaguars defense that has allowed the most fantasy points per game (22.2) and second-most passing yards (1,135) to quarterbacks this season. According to JJ Zachariason's adjusted fantasy points allowed metric, the Jaguars are also the most advantageous matchup for quarterbacks.
For fantasy purposes, Flacco is a fringe QB1 option given the matchup and what he showed last week.
Verdict: Start 'Em
Fantasy Football Start 'Em, Sit 'Em: Josh Downs
One of the biggest beneficiaries of Richardson's injury last week was Downs. The shifty slot receiver made his season debut in Week 3 after dealing with a high-ankle sprain. He then exploded in Week 4 after Flacco took over against the Steelers.
He wound up posting eight receptions for 82 yards and a touchdown on nine targets after Flacco came into the game. He finished as the WR8 in half-PPR scoring for Week 4.
While the elements may not favor a high-passing game, the fact that Flacco is under center along with the matchup does favor the pass. The Jaguars have allowed the fifth-most half-PPR points per game (34.2) and the fourth-most receiving yards (774) to opposing wideouts this season.
According to Zachariason's adjusted fantasy points allowed metric, the Jaguars also rank as the most advantageous matchup for wideouts, so Downs and Michael Pittman Jr. should be in good spots.
Downs should be viewed by managers as a solid flex option with WR2 upside if he finds the end zone.
Verdict: Start 'Em
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